My ideas for this fanfic are running around in confusing circles and leaving me slightly unsure of what to write. But I managed a chapter, wohoo! XD And I’m soooo sorry this chapter is so late!#hides# I actually blame Cloud for this one. I never thought his KH1 costume would be that hard to make... apparently I was wrong, though the cosplay turned out great in the end! XD Link to my cosplay pictures are at the bottom for those who cares XD

Please Enjoy!

The Complete And Utter Madness Of Rivalry And Love

Chapter Three

All Yellow

Cloud tried half heartedly to supress a deep yawn as he walked down the hallway towards his first class, pushing away his sleepiness, feeling the mornings becoming harder and harder to deal with. This particular Wednesday morning was no exception to that fact as his homework was still increasing, killing him and keeping him awake late at night, frying his brain until it roasted and crumbled into pieces. Cloud was positive that it would soon explode from an overload of information and perhaps despair from not being able to understand all of it's content... But maybe it was for the better if it did explode. Then he could finally rest... Life wasn’t much apart from school and homework at the moment anyway...

Ok, well, he had actually caught up with the others a little, but he was still far behind even with all his efforts and sacrifice of free time, the three weeks of absence haunting him every waken hour. Living alone in an apartment didn’t exactly make it any easier either, especially when Cloud was very obsessed with keeping it tidy and clean. The blond was almost like a dust detector, sniffing the dirt before it had even landed on it’s destination. This, however, was one side of him that he would never tell anyone, certainly not Yuffie. Cloud just knew she would never stop teasing him, calling him girlish, cute and a perfect homewife, something he just couldn't take. The mere thought sent unpleasant shivers down his spine.

Girlish...girly, yarg! Pulling his hair, Cloud let out a groan of irritation.

It had been over a week since that comment had floated his way from Leon, but he could still not let it go. He had always been called nicknames like that when he was younger. Sure, they were usually said as endearing words - when said from the elders at least, but it still hurt his male pride. He was no girl and he could prove that in more than just one way, even though he did have some delicate feautres and... behaviours. Still, those made him no girl - and Cloud was very proud of being male, thank you.

And there were a lot of other words that people could use to be nice, but somehow they had always picked something most used and usually meant for girls, or girlish nicknames. Or cute...

Cloud shuddered. Somehow, he had came to really hate that word in the same sentence as himself, thanks to the constant bullying from the older guys, the same people that usually called him cute while beating him up or... trying other things.

But cute and girly were really in the same category for the blond, and two words that always seemed to find their ways to Cloud's name... Sure, he had gotten used to it mostly, but being called girly from a guy who didn’t even know him... that was crossing the line! Leon didn’t even know him and he called him a girl... Cloud could handle being called a girl most of the times, but when a stuck up guy like Leon said it in a mocking manner just to make fun of him, it really pissed him off.

Growling lightly to himself as he remembered last Monday and the brunet’s rude comment, he suddenly heard someone call his name.

“Morning Cloud! Heading for class?” Rinoa asked as she ran up to him and joining him on his travel through the hallway.

“Morning.” he said, yawning yet again, stretching a little.

Rinoa looked at him and giggled to herself. Looked like cutie-Cloud had had some late nights, only helping the girls in their final goal.

“Tired?” she asked, both knowing she asked the obvious.

Cloud pouted, not being in the mood for jokes about his annoying state. He was always a little grumpy when really tired, which he was now, or more, drained from all what energy was called, feeling like a walking zombie or cutton candy, his mind completely left at home.

The blond gave a sarcastic smile.

“...Ha, ha, ha...” he said in an unamused tone with a voice still soft and free from rudeness. The blond could practically never be rude, with some few very rare occasions, much to his own annoyance. Someone could only guess some people weren’t born with that ability.

The brunette snickered softly, patting the male on one of his shoulders comfortingly.

“Awww, poor Chocobo...” she said caringly, suddenly breaking out into a wide grin as they kept walking.

Cloud raised an eyebrow in suspicion at the girl’s almost glowing face, the smile a lot wider than usual. Why did she suddenly look so... mischeivous and... Yuffie like? It was almost freaking him out... and it started to creep under his skin...

“Um... Rinoa?” he asked, trying to mask his nervousness. The girl looked an awful lot like Yuffie at the moment, which was equal Cloud's maximum defences up.

Said girl just kept looking at him with those twinkling eyes, tilting her head to the side innocently while looking very similar to a predator eyeing it’s prey. It was almost like looking at two faces at once.

“Hmm... ?” she asked, smiling ever so widely while looking him over.

The blond hesitated, concidering if his life was in danger. Rinoa was a very gentle and caring person, but he had seen a Yuffie sparkle to life within the girl quite often, something he needed to be alert about. He couldn’t afford being unprepared to a “Yuffie” attack when this tired, it would end even worse than everything else, probably.

“...eh...nothing.” he said, scratching the back of his head a little. “Just... something up?”

Rinoa gave an amused laugh before looking at him with shining mirth in her eyes.

“Nah... I just admired your shirt. A cute Chicobo on our cute Chocobo today is just so funny since-...” the girl said before she seemed to catch herself before saying something.

“...since...?” Cloud inquired, slightly annoyed at still being called a Chocobo. Ok, so he did like the birds, but that was no reason for people to call him that. And he definitely didn’t think his hair looked similar to a Chocobo’s, not even in color... maybe-, no, did not!

Rinoa gave an innocent smile and looked towards the ceiling, folding her hands behind her back while replying softly.

“Oh, nothing really.” smiling at his still indignant frame and questioning gaze. “Shall we...” she then said and held up the door for the blond, bowing and extending an arm to her side, voicing “Ladies first” just as he passed her.

Cloud gave her a side glare and huffed childishly before walking to his seat at the back of the room as the teacher entered. Rinoa just winked at him in return before secretly winking at Yuffie, the hyper girl clapping her hands excitedly and giving a salut.

“Good you’re all here.” Sephiroth said pleased as he looked at the majority of his staff members seated around the long table in the conference room. “I gathered you here today because we seem to have run into some problems.” he continued, seating himself in his chair while adjusting his glasses.

Professor Trepe was the first to speak.

“Yes, quite many, as I’m aware the Headmaster is aware of. The worst in my oppinion are all these fan groups and “supporting teams” for Cloud Strife and Leon Lionhart for the upcoming contest. They’re attacking each other in every way imaginable and they’re even lightly threatening the group of people who haven’t chosen a side in the matter. It’s like a war field when the groups clash in the hallways!” Trepe said seriously, worry shining in her eyes. “I don’t fear for any students life, but they’re disturbing classes, ruining school property with spray and everything else that I’m sure you all know of...” the woman finished and sighed.

Vincent nodded and rubbed his temple.

“Tell me about it. I’ve had to interfere in at least five claches each day since the announcement Tidus did.” he sighed in annoyance, pulling back his long black hair that was currently falling freely, cascading down his slender, red clad shoulders.

“And I’ve had to put a whole class into detention for the last week because they all fought over who was the best.” Cid grumbled and lighted a cigarette. “We need to stop these brats...”

“Please don’t call the school’s students brats, Professor Cid.” Sephiroth remarked, looking firmly at the teacher, earning a huff from the other.

“I call the darn kids whatever I want.”

The Headmaster glared at the man, but was pointedly ignored, something that made the silver haired man’s eye twitch with annoyance.

“So, anyone have any suggestions?” Sephiroth then asked, looking at everyone of them in turn, trying to overlook Proffessor Cid's somewhat... unpolished behaviour.

Suddenly a hand shot up in the air, waving enthustiatically. Sephiroth just ignored it and waited for someone else to speak, knowing it would be a vaste of time asking the hand’s owner.

After a few minutes of silent mumbling however, he sighed in defeat.

“No one have any suggestion at all?” he asked in disappointment, feeling the urge to rip that damn forsaken arm into pieces as it kept flailing around in the air. Everyone of them looked at him apologectically.

“Sorry Sir, nothing at the moment.” Trepe voiced. “Maybe the other staff members might come up with something when you speak with them?” she offered. But the suggestion ran out in the sand when the Headmaster didn’t respond.

Running a hand over his face, Sephiroth growled before slowly looking over to the one man he had tried to ignore the whole time.

“Yes Zackary, what is it?” he asked through clentched teeth, staring hard at the black haired man to his right, who seemed to be oblivious to Sephiroth’s obvious annoyace at him.

“I have a suggestion to how we might ease the rivalry between the supporting teams! It will also help the the objects for the teams too.” Zack said proudly, grinning at his childhood friend and boss.

Sephiroth raised an elegant eyebrow at him while the other’s stared at him with slightly surprised eyes.

“You have?” the Headmaster asked, sounding anything but interested. Zack’s ideas should never be taken seriously. Nothing bad against the man in person, he was a nice human being, but his ideas were never the... really bright ones.

“Yes! Cloud, he has some problems with his studdies, right?” Zack started, looking at Vincent.

“Yes, that’s correct. He is somewhat behind.” Vincent answered, a look of awakening interest in his red brown eyes.

“And Leon is the top student of the school, no?” Zack continued, turning to Trepe.

“Yes, he is.” she answered, looking at him with equal interest as Vincent. Was he going to suggest what she thought?

“So, why not force the two to associate and help each other by turning Leon into Strife’s tutor? Who knows, maybe they even become friends! That would surely make the huge rivalry ease up. Maybe not stop totally, but at least I’m sure it won’t be as big as it is now... And Cloud could definitely need a tutor at the moment, he’s practically done for!” Zack laughed, looking at Sephiroth who was currently adjusting his glasses, wearing a look of mild surprise and approval.

Everyone else just stared at the black haired before Cid suddenly spoke up.

“Do you want to kill Strife, Zack?! This is why we never ask you!” Cid exclaimed while waving his arms, Sephiroth feeling a headache forming.

“Of course I don’t want to.“ the black haired laughed. “But if you look at-“

Then a sudden knock on the door was heard and everyone turned to look.

“Enter” Sephiroth called, voice loud and clear.

“Hello everyone!” Yuffie suddenly sang, walking happily in with a smiling Rinoa. “Sorry to interrupt you teachers, and Headmaster..” she added and bowed sweetly. “..but we heard you were going to have a little meating about our Cloud, among other things, and we just wanted to drop by and tell you about a suggestion we have that we’re sure will help us all.” she grinned mischievously.

“Let’s hear it.” the Headmaster said, lightly intrigued and welcoming any suggestion at the moment. Just because he listened didn't mean he had to follow that particular suggestion.

Rinoa stepped forward a little and smiled even more.

“Well, we think the best solution to everything in school and for Cloud and Leon in person, would be for Leon to become Cloud’s tutor, starting tomorrow!” Rinoa finished and looked at everyone, eyes glinting in the light pouring from the window in front of her, a smile at the corner of her lips in mischievousness.

Everyone stared at them while Zack had the biggest grin plastered on his face that day.

A few moments before...

Cloud groaned where he sat, slumping even more in his chair in a futile attempt to escape the cold stares directed at his back, something that had become a hated routine for the blond. Cloud had tried to ignore them like he usually did, but today it was frigging impossible. He could swear the stares were much colder than usual, but he couldn’t come up with any explanation to why they should be. He hadn’t done Leon anything and if anyone was supposed to be angry at someone, it was Cloud. Leon still hadn’t apologized for the girly comment.

“Why can’t aliens abduct you when you want them to...” Cloud mumbled to himself and knocked his forehead against his desk, groaning in mild frustration. This was really getting on his nerves, not to talk about his lack of attention to class. He was already too far behind as it was, but with the stares currently piercing him, it didn’t seem like he would be able to catch up any time soon, Leon seeming all too pleased with glaring a hole in his back.

Suddenly he felt something light hit his head and he looked up, finding a crumpled up paper on his desk. Looking around in mild surprise he spotted Axel smirking at him while Leon just kept glaring at him and shooting Axel a few annoyed glances.

Cloud raised an eyebrow and turned back around, unfolding the paper.

‘Feeling ready?’ What the heck was that supposed to mean? Ready for what, nail polishing?! Cloud looked around again and was going to whisper his confusion to Axel, but stopped dead in his tracks and nicely turned forward again when he saw Leon gripping Axel by the shoulder and looking like he had inherited the fires of hell from Lucifer.

“Excuse me Xigbar, but I need to walk to the Headmaster’s office!” Yuffie suddenly called out and stood, walking over to the teacher’s desk.

Cloud looked at her and tilted his head to the side in question, but all he got as an response from the girl was a grin and a thumb up. The blond felt his blood freeze and insides churn, and not because of that Leon was back to his cruel stares, but because he just knew the brunette was up to something. He had not missed the evil gleam in her eyes and he found himself unable to do anything but gulp worriedly.

“Oh, so little miss Kisaragi needs to see the Headmaster.” Xigbar said and gave a grin. “Very well, then scram!” he finished and laughed, Yuffie bowing lowly and bouncing out.

Somehow, in the way the girl disappeared, Cloud just knew this day was not going to flow by easily.

Oh boy was he right...

“WHAT!?” Cloud screamed loudly over the whole lunch cafeteria. “What do you mean with ‘You’re going to participate in a Chocobo Race in one hour!?” he continued screaming, arms waving in the air like the-sticks-of-the-devil, Yuffie effectively avoiding to be hit by bending a little backwards.

“I mean what I say silly!” she laughed, poking his chest before pulling him down by his shoulders to sit. “Now sit down before you create a scene!”

Cloud pouted at that and crossed his arms, glaring at her from under his bangs as he sat down.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that! It’s not my fault!” Yuffie huffed offended.

The blond just kept glaring at her and Rinoa giggled a little from her side, trying to hide it with biting an apple.

“Weeeell, ok, maybe I’m partly to blame, but it wasn’t my idea! Tidus wrote it as a joke in the last issue of the school magazine, but the headmaster thought it would be a lovely idea. The only thing I did was confirm your participation to the headmaster.” the girl said and clapped her hands together.

“And you did that without asking me first?” Cloud growled.

“Um...yes?” Yuffie said innocently and patted the blond on the head, ending up to withdraw it quickly after a few seconds when it seemed like Cloud was going to bite it. “Don’t worry Spikey, you’ll do great! I know you love Chocobos and all! And don’t forget you have the great Yuffie Kisaragi to help you on your quest! Nothing can stop you as long as you have me Cloudie!”

“My love for them won’t help me ride one! And why didn’t you say anything before this morning, Rinoa!?” Cloud continued, looking accusingly at the long haired brunette.

“Ah, must have slipped my mind...” Rinoa answered losely while looking at the ceiling, grinning widely as she was unable to fight it.

“A lesson free afternoon doesn’t just “slip ones mind”! And you just don’t forget about something like this when it affects your friends!” Cloud squeaked before suddenly getting a mood swing and turning depressed. He sighed dejectedly and burrowed his face in his hands.

“I’m so gonna die...” he mumbled lowly.

“Common Cloud, it can’t be that terrible!” Yuffie tried, rubbing at her friends back comfortingly.

“Yes it can! I may like the birds, but I... I... I have never ridden one before... ever...” he said lowly and dramatically slumped against the table, head hidden in his arms.

Rinoa and Yuffie stared at each other with wide eyes.

Ok, so it looked a little darker than before...

Riku stood in the hallway, casually talking to Axel about what he would do on the now lesson-free afternoon thanks to Cloud and Leon, when a small brunet walked past, drawing his attention.

“Hey, Sora!” the silver haired called out and the smaller boy stopped, visibly tensing.

Sora turned around slowly and managed a half glare at the other.

“What? You gonna insult me about my clothing?” he asked, unusally hard and confident for being the small brunet.

At that question, Riku couldn’t help but look the other over. He had to admit that he deeply wanted to comment to Sora about his clothing, even thought it might not be the sort of comment the brunet expected. He definitely expected a nasty comment, but Riku honestly thought Sora should wear the clothes more often, because the boy looked absolutely molestable in them, but being the collcted guy he is kept him from such comments.

“No... I was going to ask you to say thanks to Cloud from me. Because of him and Leon I miss my math this evening and I wanted to thank him, but I haven’t been able to find him. So I wondered if you could tell him that for me?” Riku said, raising an eyebrow and secretly smirking. Ah, first contact without insults with target established.

Sora looked scrutinizingly at him.

“And why would you thank the rival to your best friend Leon?” Sora suddenly wondered and Riku gulped, accompanied with a wide eyed looking Axel. He had totally forgotten about that little tiny fact about their groups were supposed to be rivals, even though Riku himself didn’t really see why. Many of the people in the first year group seemed really nice, especially after he had started to pay them a little more attention the last week when stalking Sora. Though, Riku wouldn’t admit that to Leon yet, the brunet would kill him for his betrayal if he did, so he would instead wait.

So going for the only solution he could come up with, Riku went for the blunt truth.

“Well, because I have started to like you guys the latest week and Cloud seems like a really nice guy. And who said you can’t thank you rivals anyway? Sportsmen do that all the time.” Riku said and crossed his arms, mentally patting himself for coming up with that half truth, half excuse.

Sora’s gaze softened before he averted his eyes and turned around, ready to leave.

“Um... sure, I’ll tell him that when I meet him later.” Sora said, looking back a few seconds before turning again and starting to walking away.

“Thanks.” Riku said and smiled gently at the boy's unknowing back before Sora disappeared through the door leading to the school’s front yard.

“Mind telling me what that was all about?” Axel asked and raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, a scrutinzing stare on his face.

Riku just chuckled and started to walk towards the field too.

“Oh, nothing really. I just decided to not let that damn P.E teacher Zackary use my little secret any longer to force me into doing all the silly things in class. He’s really using it and it’s getting on my nerves! So I decided to go for the kill.”

Axel smirked.

“As in hitting on Sora?” the red head asked amused and hit Riku on his back, making thumbs-up to him before suddenly changing mood. “But what if he isn’t interested in you. I mean, not many are gay you know.” Axel suddenly said, giving the silver haired a contemplating stare.

Riku just grinned even wider and smirked knowingly.

“Ah, well, I really need to thank the nucience in second year, also know as Yuffie. She and Rinoa were royal pains in the ass before Yuffie came up to me a few days ago. She then declared the obvious for me; that they knew about my liking for Sora and that she and Rinoa wanted to tell me that they had seen the small brunet stare at me for some time now and that they were definite on that he liked me. Yuffie also said that if I didn’t go after Sora and tell him I like him after she had “revealed” the small one’s feelings, she would make sure that I knew I was alive before slowly and painfully wiping my ass’ excistance off of this planet. So yeah...” Riku laughed. “Here I am, making first contact with my prey. And also, who wouldn’t like a good piece of meat like me?” he added, striking a pose.

“Gee, I dunno Romeo. Just don’t get all prince-ish when you’re around Leon! And you better not tell him about this just yet, he might throw a fit about you socializing with the enemy or something.” Axel shrugged while they walked down the road, now finding themselves just outside the area for the race.

“Haha, yeah, I have thought about that, speaking of socializing with the enemy... How’s it all going with Roxas?” Riku asked, playfully hitting the other one on the arm.

Axel suddenly looked shocked and stared at him for a while before trying to look innocent.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” he said flatly and looked anywhere but at the silver haired. Talk about flashing the truth with a capital 'f'.

“Hey, don’t act all confused on me! Besides, I’ve know it for a long time. It’s not like it’s not obvious with all the attention and bugging you’re exposing him to.” Riku said smuggly as they entered the field, earning an embaressed look from the red head before green eyes looked at the other with hopelessness.

“Ok, you caught me! I just don’t know what to do. One day I just felt like I wanted to jump him on the spot and now I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how I should act around him, so I do the only thing I can; pestering him!” Axel said dejectedly and slumped his shoulders. It looked like not even the greatest bonfire could lighten the mood of the pyromaniac at the moment.

“Hey, look at it from the bright side; you have already created first contact and established a realtionship with him, even if it might not be a very positive one... But it’s there and all you really have to do now is to show him your change of heart! I’d say you should use the home economic class on Friday to give him some more attention.” Riku said and looked thoughtful before mastering a big grin. “I mean, it’s not like he could escape you anyway, right Axel?”

At that, Axel grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, realizing the same thing.

“Not really, no. Hey, you’re right Riku! I’ll give it my best on Friday. He’ll adknowledge me before this month is over! Got it memorized!” he exclaimed confidently, green eyes shining with the light of determination as they took a seat on the upper rows of the audience seats around the huge field. It almost looked like a big racing field for horse sports, or a place for aliens to build a base and take over the planet on...

“Sooooo...” Axel suddenly drawled lowly, glanzing nonchalantedly at his silver haired companion. “When do you think Leon will give in?” he asked.

Riku just smirked at that, eyes burning with knowledge and mirt.

“So, you have noticed too, huh?” Riku said amused and leaned in to prevent that too many fangirls heard him. He had already caught curious looks from many girls around them when they had caught the name Leon. “Well, personally, I don’t think he’ll last more than... one week, at a maximum.”

Axel’s faced was graced by wide eyes and a slightly gaping mouth, much like the one of a lost goldfish.

“Are you serious?! Not longer?” he asked shocked, doubt radiating from green eyes.

The silver haired chuckled at that and gave a confident smirk, one that made one think he had discovered the secret of the universe and was completely unwilling to share it.

“Nope, not a day longer. Not after what I heard from Rinoa at lunch. He won’t be able to deny it for any longer than a week, though, it might take him some time to make the blond feel the same. But that’s where we come in. After a week by himself, he will come crawling to us and ask for help getting the guy’s attention!” Riku said and laughed. “I mean, common! Who would not realize their desire for someone if they had to spend every waken hour with said person! Leon isn’t that dence that he won’t realize his denial when spending so much private time with Cloud!” he added.

Axel smirked in amusement and looked interested, clearly curious about something that had caught his ears.

“Every waken hour you say? And how will that come to happen?” he asked, glancing at the place where Cloud and Leon stood with the Chocobos, getting ready on the far left of them.

Riku was practically glowing with amusement all over now, looking like he could combust at any moment from restrained playfullness.

“Rinoa told me that it’s decided by the Headmaster that Leon will become Cloud’s tutor, starting tomorrow...” he answered and straightened in his seat, leaning back casually. “There’s no way they’ll get out of this one, Leon is bound to catch his own interest for the blond. Especially with Cloud being so nice to everyone and all.”

Axel laughed hard and hit a hand on his knee before waving a finger at Riku as if stating something.

“Those girls are geniuses!”

“Tell me about it. Though, they’re pretty devilish too, so I’m happy as long as they leave my interest out of it.” Riku said, slightly worried that Rinoa might pester him about his love interest again.

“Yeah... imagine the horror of having them after you.” Axel said and looked horrified as he shuddered, realizing just how devilish the girls where with what they did to Cloud and Leon. He could just thank his lucky star that he wasn’t exposed to that kind of duo himself.

"Ok now, just be a good boy." Cloud cooed nervously at the Chocobo he had been designated to ride on, the bird magnificent and proud where it was positioned, restless. Agitated, Cloud continued his soothing and pleading to the bird as he made himself ready, jumping on one leg while trying to adjust himself and get his foot through the stirrup. "Just stay still while I try to- ow!"

Sighing and rubbing his sore butt, Cloud once again found himself introduced to the ground, a friend he really thought he could do without. Throwing a stone across the floor, Cloud thought himself unable to get up on the bird's back, the bird not really wanting to stand still and therefore making his task that much harder. His height really was a problem sometimes...Or quite often really.

Hearing laughter, the blond quickly snapped his head around to glare passionately at the tall brunet whom had made his way over to Cloud, leaving his Chocobo a distance away, eating.

"Shut up." Cloud spat, huffing and crossing his arms indignantly when Leon just laughed harder. Pouting, the blond turned around and stood up, fuming from an irritation that only the Ice Prince could make him feel, set on just ignoring his rival and arch enemy. But as he looked up, his irritation vanished and was replaced by surprise as he saw his own Chocobo...glaring?

The magnificent bird who had now walked up to Cloud, bent it's head down, warking softly when Cloud scratched it behind the ear before the bird once again shot Leon what seemed to be a dirty look over Cloud's shoulder.

Leon snorted in amusement, finding it all too fitting and entertaining.

"Seems like the bird thinks you're it's chicobo or something, though I can't blame it, your hair is hard to tell apart from one." Leon commented, giving Cloud a challenging smirk. "How does it feel to be one with the bird heads?"

The blond narrowed his eyes, unable to ignore the other anymore. But before Cloud could even begin his army of bad ranting, his Chocobo had started making it's way towards Leon with feathers puffed in anger. When it had reached Leon who seemed unaffected by it all and just stood there, the bird suddenly warked loudly before biting the brunet in the arm harshly, effectively drawing a yelp of surprise from Leon who backed away. The reaction seemed to make the yellow bird pleased with itself as it ruffled it's feathers to smoothe them out before soon enough starting to walk over to Cloud again in a proud stride. Leon just glared death at it's back while it walked, causing Cloud to grin in wild amusement. Though before the feathery bird had reached the blond again, it turned quickly on it's heels and warked threateningly at the brunet when Leon seemed to have calmed down, effectively making Leon jump again, startled.

Cloud could have sworn he saw his Chocobo smirk in satisfaction and he could do nothing but pat the bird gently when it stopped at his side again, giving it a Lasant nut which it accepted happily, nuzzling Cloud's neck affectionately.

Smiling evilly, Cloud turned to look at Leon while leaning his cheek against the bird's feathery throat, feeling his love for the birds grow even more. This was a family he gladly belonged to.

"...You were saying?" he asked as he quirked an eyebrow, smirking as Leon narrowed his eyes darkly before turning and stomping away, no comment being able to leave the other's mouth for once.

Feeling slightly victorious for once, Cloud smiled widely and looked up into the bird's big, dark eyes, mentally taking a note that he needed to get himself a pet bird sometime. He just knew he would love it's company and being happy with another soul in his apartment.

Scratching the bird behind it's ear again, Cloud felt much better and the feeling of determination assaulting him, making him set on getting up on the bird's back. So with newfound strenght, the blond set to the task of getting up again, the bird warking to cheer him on.

A distance away, a certain brunet patted his blue Chocobo before turning around again, too curious when a loud wark floated his way happilly.

The blond had finally managed to get onto it's back and was now grinning widely at the Chocobo while he petted it's neck tenderly, slender fingers traveling over yellow feathers softly, making Leon feel uncomfortable.

He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was something with Cloud that just drew him in, making Leon feel like he was loosing control - a thing that was unacceptable. The brunet didn't know what to do about it and always found himself pestering the blond instead, because when he did, that feeling went away, if only for a few minutes. Though, the last few times, every time he fought with Cloud, a new feeling had started to grow... An unpleasant feeling that bothered him as much as the feeling caused by Cloud before and it left him... sore and empty...

Growling in annoyance, Leon shook his head to try to clear his thoughts, tearing his eyes away from Cloud who was still drawing slender fingers through yellow feathers, Leon furiously pushing away the fragments of thoughts that wanted it to be him who was with the blond and had the fingers over his skin.

"Ah, it's starting soon!" Zack exclaimed cheerfully in his seat, looking over the running field from where he sat at the top of the platforms. "Who are you rooting for Seph?"

"How many times have I said to not call me Seph in public! And as the Headmaster I must remain neutral. It wouldn't look good if I favored one of my students." Sephiroth answered with a solid voice as he looked out over the field as well, a glint of something flashing past his eyes for just a second.

Zack smirked as he saw it and the silver haired male beside him raised an elegant eyebrow.

"What now?" the Headmaster asked sternly, though his eyes told of his worry. When that look entered Zack's face, something was up.

"Heh, I just thought about how weak you are for blonds. It's kinda cute. To think the great Headmaster had a weak spot." the black haired purred dangerously, earning a somewhat shocked face from Sephiroth before he composed himself in his usual manner.

"I see you've finally lost it. Great, now I can finally fire you." the Headmaster said as a matter of factly and turned in his seat, looking towards the spot where the race would start.

Zack laughed before he threw an arm around Sephiroth's shoulders, leaning in, still grinning widely.

"Aw, common, we both know you didn't mean that, you never do." the black haired began before smiling darkly, leaning closer. "And we know what I said is true. You have always had a special place for those yellow birds since you were a kid, and I know you have a special place for that young chicobo over there as well." he finished, eyeing Sephiroth who didn't look back, eyes on something else. Smiling, Zack followed Sephiroth's eyes knowingly, finally locking at the same young teen as the Headmaster. A teen that was at the moment pulling on his helmet and gloves, yellow spikes disappearing under black fabric.

Looking at Cloud for a moment and realizing something, Zack chuckled softly, drawing the Headmaster's attention.

"Carrying their heart in their hands, some sure are very special and loved indeed. No wonder they're so treaured and sought after. Light draws you in... I guess we all, after all, do have a special place for that 'chicobo'." Zack said honestly, voice speaking of own experience while his eyes lingered on the male further away, Sephiroth remaining silent as he too, followed Cloud's movements...

Fidgeting in nervousness Cloud tried desperately to find a comfortable position to sit in where he was positioned on the Chocobo's back, feeling out of place among all the contestants. He couldn't believe he was doing this...

Sighing, he then turned to look at Leon to his right, the brunet calm and confident where he sat, adjusting his gloves. He then turned to eye Cloud, obviously feeling someone staring at him. Smirking, Leon ordered the bird to walk over to Cloud, stopping right beside him, their legs almost touching each other. At this, Cloud blinked at Leon quizzically with big eyes, questioning the brunet's actions and earning an amused snort from the other. Leaning in, Leon then placed a hand on Cloud's thigh in the area close to the knee in a comforting manner.

"Promise me to not cry when I win now, ok?" Leon said in playful confidence while patting him, giving the blond a challenging look before turning the Chocobo around and leaving, giving Cloud no time to react.

Watching the brunet ride away, Cloud blinked a few times, utterly confused, before he narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits. He really didn't get why he and Leon had started to fight. Well, sure, they were rivals in the competition, but Leon had never really seemed too happy with Cloud to begin with. And let's say the brunet didn't exactly try to be friendly towards him either, not that Cloud wanted him to anyway...

Though, nothing of that really mattered right now. All Cloud wanted was to kick that brunet's ass and show the other he wasn't some lousy delicate first year who you could push around as you wished.

Nodding to himself, Cloud turned his own Chocobo around, making to walk to the start of the field where the Ice Prince already stood ready.

Making sure to deliver an especially cold glare towards the brunet, the blond then gulped and patted his Chocobo, hoping it was a good bird and wouldn't throw him off.

A distance away from the two constantly bickering teens, an elegant male sat seated, eyeing them with glowing green eyes from his black Chocobo's back. Long black hair cascaded smoothly over muscular but slender shoulders, blending nicely with the black and red clothes the teen was wearing. His figure radiated confidence and power, body lean but strong where he sat with pride.

The male growled lowly as he continued to eye the two teens, Cloud currently looking lost while Leon had his always pressent look of calm and confidence on his face. At a first glance, the two teens seemed like big rivals, hating each other with a passion, but he knew differently. He had overheard two girls he knew was named Rinoa and Yuffie talking about the two. What he had heard was interesting... and disturbing, especially since he agreed with the girls. Leon was oblivious to his desires for Cloud, fooling himself into believe he hated the blond. Still, it was just a matter of time before the brunet realized his mistake and when he did... it would cause problems.

Frowning in anger, Lucian shot a cold glare at the brunet's back. There was no way he would let Leon take the blond away from him. He had had his sights set on Cloud from the day the blond had entered their school and there was no way he would let Leon win over him again. He would prove he was better than the brunet, and take something he wanted away from him. Cloud was too perfect to give up and no matter what it would take, Lucian would make sure that Cloud didn't end up in Leon's grasp. Also, he would make sure to be there when the blond fell off the Chocobo during the race, getting on the blond's good side...

"You two lunatics ready to go?" someone asked enthustiatically, entering the field to Cloud's right.

"Reno!" Leon said happilly, giving the other a small smile. Cloud was kinda surprised to see it on the other's face, the look kinda alien like combined with the brunet.

Reno grinned at him and stopped between the two teens, eyeing them.

"I certainly hope you're going to take it easy with this kid over here." the red head then said, waving a thumb in Cloud's direction before turning to look the blond over, measuring him. "He certainly doesn't look suited for this. Too delicate and small." Reno finished in amusement, sniggering.

"Hey!" Cloud said indignantly, pouting a little. "I'm right here!"

Reno just waved a hand dismissingly at him and turned to Leon again, bluntly ignoring the blond.

"See what I mean? Have some mercy with the kid, will ya?" the red head said again, Leon raising and eyebrow slightly in amusement. "Anyway, I shouldn't really say stuff like that to you, the judge has to be neutral, right?" Reno then grinned, patting Leon's Chocobo before giving Cloud a wink and walking to the starting line.

"Ready?" Reno then asked, looking at the contestants with a big grin on his face. They all nodded and Reno gave a thumb-up, turning to the crowd, raising a flag in the air.

"Ready... Steady... Go!" He yelled, the flag twirling in the air towards the ground, the birds immediately taking off.

In the second they all took off, cheerings and yells could immediately be heard, making Cloud feel that he wanted to be abducted by aliens. The preassure was certainly big even though Cloud had never really had the intention to win. He just wanted to beat Leon...

Shaking his head to get rid of all unnecessary thoughts, he focused on the race again, cheering on his Chocobo to run faster. The bird complied and in a matter of seconds, Cloud found himself among the first four, Leon, a black haired guy and a very pretty girl running alongside him.

As the blond made it to the front, Lucian smirked to himself, pleased to have Cloud and his bird running inbetween him and Leon. Calculation the situation, he decided that this was the right time for action, the perfect situation to make himself save Cloud...

Smiling coldly, Lucian gave the cue to his black Chocobo, the big bird immediately turning it's head towards Cloud's one. Warking loudly, it then attacked, biting the yellow bird harshly on the neck. Cloud's Chocobo gave a loud shriek and threw it's head widly before diving in for an counter attack. Cloud, who was unprepared for this, was sent wobbling dangerously when the bird pulled at the reins unexpectedly. Feeling slightly affraid and irritated at the black bird, the blond looked at the rider to tell him to scold his bird and make it stop. But as he did so, Cloud noticed the other seemed to have the same problem as him to keep himself steady in the sadle, the black haired male glaring at his bird while batteling with the reins.

Lucian smirked inwardly as he saw Cloud's continued battle to keep his balance, his Chocobo out of control while Lucian himself continued his act of having a hard time himself. Now was the perfect time...

Pretending to get an extremely harsh pull at the reins, the black haired male threw himself in Cloud's direction, his own shoulder knocking into the blond heavily. Cloud gave a yelp of surprise as they collided, his body totally thrown out of balance and now falling towards the ground quickly.

Satisfied with the situation, Lucian then reached out a hand quickly to grab a hold of Cloud before he fell, making himself a saviour. But as he reached out, his black Chocobo threw it's head around, making him wobble a little... and miss.

Everything went in slowmotion from there on forward as he locked eyes with a terrified Cloud while he was crashing towards the ground, the steps of the Chocobo's behind them horribly loud...

Hearing a yell to his left, Leon turned his eyes around in annoyance, expecting to find Cloud there cheering his Chocobo on. It really was frustrating that Cloud was among the leaders in his first time of riding a Chocobo... still, the brunet had a hard time ignoring the voices in the back of his head thinking it was impressive too...

But as he looked to his left, he felt all his irritation vanish in the blink of an eye and turn into shock when he spotted Cloud, the blond wobbling out of his sadle and falling, making Leon feel like the world had come to a stop.

It was surreal, the way Cloud fell towards the ground while Leon felt like his heart would either stop or come out through his chest. He had never thought he would feel like that if it involved Cloud. But as he watched the blond hit the ground and the Chocobos behind them burry him as they passed, sending a cloud of sand whirling around and hide him, the brunet was struck with a horrible realization.

He liked Cloud. He really liked him.

In what form the liking was, he wasn't really sure, but Cloud meant more to him than he had let himself accept. Instead, he had been hiding behind a wall of irritation and rivalry, pushing the blond away to not have to deal with his disturbing emotions. He never liked anyone more than as a friend, but as soon as Cloud had entered his sight of vision, something had stirred in him. Something he'd told himself he would rather be without. But now, as he saw the blond tumble out of sight between the birds' legs, he couldn't fool himself anymore...

Pulling at the reins, Leon forced the Chocobo into a quick halt and turned it around, making it run back to where the blond had fallen off while his heart felt like it would explode. It was overwhelming and alien like, but all too honest.

As he neared the accident, Leon almost felt nauseous when he saw the teen laying on his stomach in complete stillness. The clothes were badly torn everywhere and the blond was almost totally covered in sand, his light hair dirty and tousled.

Halting the bird, the brunet jumped off of it quickly while he registred people yelling in worry and the other riders coming to an halt as well. Ignoring them, Leon ran towards Cloud on the ground and felt his breath hitch in his throat when he spotted a trail of blood in the other's hair.

Kneeling beside the wounded teen, Leon turned him around and saw that Cloud was breathing heavily but steadily.

He was alive...

Sighing in relief, Leon placed a hand on Cloud's forehead, brushing away a few dirty bangs from the face. Suddenly, the blond coughed, sending Leon jumping out of his skin and quickly retreating his hand from the other's skin, immediately missing the contact.

Moaning, the blond lifted a hand and placed it over his eyes, mumbling something incoherent, causing the brunet to frown in worry.

"You ok?" Leon then asked, wanting to make sure Cloud was out of any life threatening danger.

"...Yeah, though I think I broke something - My pride." he blond groaned, causing Leon to release a deep chuckle in relief, overjoyed that Cloud was well enough to crack a few jokes. It meant he was fine, even if a little beaten up.

As he sat there, Leon suddenly felt like someone was studying him and he looked down, spotting deep blue eyes staring widely at him in slight surprise and question, Cloud having removed his hand. A silence followed after that, Leon unable to do anything but blink blankly back at the other, brain having frozen on him temporarily. He hadn't thought he had chuckled out loud...

Coughing, the brunet did the only thing he could come up with - being like he always was against Cloud.

"I see you're alive. Congratulations, you have just ruined the Chocobo race." he found himself say, cursing himself when Cloud gave a look of guilt and hurt. He just looked so fragile as he lay there in Leon's knees, eyes somewhat hazy from his still shaken mind and body, clothes torn and dirty... He had never seen this side of Cloud, the blond usually secure and proud over himself...

Then, out of nowhere, Yuffie and Rinoa appeared beside them, both of the girls looking down at Cloud with worry. Though, Leon could see the gleams of mischief passing through them as they saw how the blond was positioned, along with the fact Cloud seemed quite fine, concidering what he had gone through a minute ago.

"Cloud, you ok?!" Yuffie asked, looking down at him.

The blond nodded and sat up, Leon quickly standing up and crossing his arms, looking down at Cloud in irritation. The girls just smirked at this, feeling Leon being all too obvious with his sudden moodswings.

"Aw, we're so happy to hear that!" Yuffie then said, helping Cloud into a standing position and dusting him off slightly. Cloud smiled in gratitude and Leon couldn't help but feel a more passionate irritation grow against the girl.

"Oh, we almost forgot!" Rinoa then exclaimed and looked at Yuffie happilly.

"Ah, that's right!" Yuffie agreed, turning to smile at the two males in turn. "We have some news we're sure will cheer you up. Headmaster Sephiroth has decided that you, Leon, starting from today, will be Cloud's personal tutor, meeting him at least four times a week!" the girl ended cheerfully, watching the two males' faces transform into shock and doubt, though from two very different reasons.

While Cloud wondered how they would survive with one another without killing each other, Leon was seriously questioning how he would be able to handle private time with Cloud in their own homes...

Phew, finally done with this chapter!

Ok. First out: If anyone doesn't understand the thing with carrying their heart in their hands: I heard it from a friend and it's a saying that means that that person gives their whole heart and feelings to everyone they meat. That they are very caring and loving... basically they have a big heart XD Meaning Zack and Seph and many others care a lot for Cloud because of his big heart... nothing else XD

And...Gah! #Runs around trying to catch her plotbunnies# Don't you DARE run away from me now - not now when the good things start!

I dunno if I like this chapter, but I couldn't wait any longer with posting it... XD #sighs# Not now when the pairing is really starting 3

My cosplay photos - Go to deviantart and the account Niji-No-Kuroi-Bara

Please review and tell me what you think! They keep the author motivated and writing!

(Second chapter of Love In the Dark will soon be posted)